Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Lufthansa is one of the few full-service carriers that still offers a genuine route for snub-nosed breeds, and the distinction matters: barred from the passenger aircraft hold, still welcome in the cabin. Cooper is far too big for that, so we used the freight route instead. Knowing which of the three options applies is most of the planning.
Lufthansa's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Lufthansa handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the cabin✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsAccepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-09-12
Snub-nosed breeds banned✓ Noverified 2026-09-12
Snub-nosed breeds list
Affenpinscher
American Bully
Bulldogs (all breeds except American bulldogs)
Pug (all breeds)
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Brussels Griffon
Bull Mastiff
Bull Terrier (Miniature Bull Terrier excluded)
Chow Chow
English Toy Spaniel
Japanese Chin
Japanese Spaniel
King Charles Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Pekinese
Pit Bull
Shar Pei
Shih Tzu
Tibetan Spaniel
verified 2026-09-12
Minimum age12 weeksverified 2026-09-12
Advance booking notice72 hoursverified 2026-09-12
Advance booking required✓ Yesverified 2026-09-12
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-09-12
Booking methodonlineverified 2026-09-12
Banned breeds list
American Bully
American Bulldog
Dogo Argentino
Karabash (Kangal) / Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Caucasian Ovcharka / Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Rottweiler
verified 2026-09-12
Pregnant animals accepted✗ Noverified 2026-09-12
Carrier size55 × 40 × 23 cmverified 2026-09-12
Max weight (pet + crate)8 kgverified 2026-09-12
Crate must have/besoft-sided ok, ventilated, a carrierverified 2026-09-12
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrierverified 2026-09-12
Service & assistance animals
Esa noteIn accordance with 14 CFR Part 382, emotional support animals are no longer classified as assistance animals under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Lufthansa will no longer recognise or accept this category.verified 2026-09-12
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, a carrierverified 2026-09-12
The pet must be registered in good time and confirmed by Lufthansa: up to 72 hours before departure online or through a travel agency, or 24 hours before departure at the latest through the Service Center. Registration alone is not enough, the confirmation is what secures the place. Register at booking and check the confirmation has come back.
Lufthansa has barred the transport of snub-nosed breeds in the cargo hold since 1 January 2020. Those breeds may still travel in the passenger cabin, subject to the conditions for carrying animals as additional carry-on baggage, and they can be carried as air freight by Lufthansa Cargo. Three routes exist, and the hold is the one that is closed.
Lufthansa keeps more doors open than most carriers, but only if you pick the right one: cabin for small pets, Lufthansa Cargo as air freight for larger ones, and the passenger hold closed to snub-nosed breeds since 2020. Settle the route first, register within the 72-hour window, then let the plan builder align it with the destination rules.
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: August 29, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on Lufthansa?
Yes, Lufthansa allows dogs in the cabin. Your pet and carrier combined must weigh under 8 kg. For your specific pet's eligibility, check Pawgo at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Lufthansa allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds?
What are the pet carrier size limits for Lufthansa?
The cabin carrier limit on Lufthansa is 55 x 40 x 23 cm (L x W x H). Exact limits vary by aircraft. Compute your carrier fit at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can I ship my dog as cargo on Lufthansa?
Yes, Lufthansa offers cargo pet transport. Confirm the carrier's specific crate and documentation requirements with the airline directly before booking. Get the full details at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Lufthansa?
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are allowed in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.Build my pet's travel plan →
How far in advance must I book my pet on Lufthansa?
Add your pet to the booking at least 72 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.Build my pet's travel plan →
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.Build my pet's travel plan →
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.Build my pet's travel plan →
Flying Lufthansa?
Get a personalized travel checklist for your pet on Lufthansa.
